Montreal Canadiens and Hamilton Bulldogs General Manager Marc Bergevin announced today the signing of free agent forward Stephen MacAulay to a one-year American Hockey League contract for the 2013-2014 season. As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

In 2012-2013, MacAulay was a member of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League President Cup Champion and Canadian Hockey League Memorial Cup Champion Halifax Mooseheads. The 21-year-old is the only player to ever participate in four QMJHL President Cup Finals and win two championships and compete in three CHL Memorial Cup Championships and capture two titles.

In 16 post-season games with Halifax last season, MacAulay produced 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) and 24 penalty minutes. In 25 regular season games with the Mooseheads, the Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native recorded 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) and 16 penalty minutes. Prior to being traded to the Halifax Mooseheads on January 5th, 2013, the 6’2”, 190-pound right winger registered 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) and 36 penalty minutes in 34 games with the Saint John Sea Dogs.

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Dan O'Toole: "So if I have this right, only acceptable goal celebration in NHL is to put hands at your sides and then feel shame."

Two members of the veteran backbone that led the Grand Rapids Griffins to the 2013 Calder Cup championship will return to defend the title, as defenseman Brennan Evans and left wing Triston Grant have both agreed to terms on AHL contracts for the 2013-14 season.

The Chicago Wolves announced Tuesday they have signed forward Eric Kattelus to a contract for the 2013-14 season.

KATTELUS made his American Hockey League debut in 39 games with the Wolves last season after being signed by the team on Jan. 7, 2013. He registered 10 assists and 13 points with Chicago, and he ranked fifth on the club with a +9 plus/minus rating.

The Syracuse Crunch have signed right wing Evan Rankin to a one-year AHL contract announced Crunch GM Julien BriseBois today.

Rankin, 27, spent the last two seasons with the Rochester Americans. During the 2012-13 campaign he totaled 31 points (14g, 17a) in 48 regular season games. Rankin registered one point in two 2013 Calder Cup playoff games. The 6-1, 185 lb., winger has appeared in 99 career AHL games, collecting 64 points (31g, 33a), for Manitoba, Grand Rapids and Rochester. Rankin played four years at the University of Notre Dame before beginning his professional career. Rankin earned 41 points (20g, 21a) in 143 NCAA games.

Twelve years after a botched fax notoriously sent Mike Zigomanis back into the draft, the Sabres organization has reacquired the center, signing him to an AHL contract today.The Rochester Americans also inked defenseman Alex Lepkowski, a West Seneca native the Sabres drafted but never signed, and winger Frederick Roy.

Anyway, here is some interesting facts :
-27 players, who had AHL deals last season, have signed NHL contracts this offseason.
-There are has only been 3 "lateral" movements (Mormina, Rankin, Zigomanis).
-Greg Amadio has retired. Amadio will serve as a defence development coach for the Sault Ste.Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. Amadio, 32, only played 8 games for Springfield last season.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - Montreal Canadiens and Hamilton Bulldogs General Manager Marc Bergevin announced today the signing of free agent forward Ben Duffy to a one-year, two-way American Hockey League / ECHL contract for the 2013-2014 season. As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

In 2012-2013, Duffy won the Jean Beliveau Trophy as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s scoring champion with 110 points. The 21-year-old also led the QMJHL in assists with 71 and finished 11th in the league in goals with 39. The Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia native also registered 215 shots, posted a +17 rating and recorded four penalty minutes in 68 regular season games for the Prince Edward Island Rockets. In six post-season games, the 5’10”, 175-pound forward produced four points (two goals, two assists).

The Oklahoma City Barons signed forward Derek Nesbitt to an American Hockey League contract, General Manager Bill Scott announced today.

Nesbitt, a 6-0, 185-pounder from Egmondville, Ontario, finished last season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, but played the majority of the season with the Peoria Rivermen. The 31-year old led the Rivermen with 26 goals and finished second on the club with 47 points. Over three seasons with the Rivermen, recorded 144 points (65-79-144).

Michal Cajkovsky signed an amateur tryout contract with the Hershey Bears in late March after his junior season with the OHL's Ottawa 67's concluded.

The 21-year-old impressed with his size and work ethic, but he only practiced and never played in a game.

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The Bratislava, Slovakia, native said he has signed a contract with Hershey for next season. Cajkovsky participated in this week's Washington Capitals development camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, which concluded on Saturday, and acquitted himself well.

Matthew Ford ‏@Frdy11
Excited to be on board with the @okcbarons organization!

Confirmed by Oklahoma today

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The Oklahoma City Barons officially signed forward Matthew Ford to an AHL contract, General Manager Bill Scott announced today.

Ford is heading into his sixth season as a professional. He has spent his first five seasons with five different AHL clubs; Hartford, Lake Erie, Hershey, Adirondack and Springfield.

The former Chicago Blackhawks 8th round, 256th overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, has amassed 274 regular season AHL games and has 155 points (78-77-155).

Ford’s most productive season came in the 2011-12 campaign when he split time between the Hershey Bears and Adirondack Phantoms. He posted career highs in goals (29), assists (30) and points (59). He split time last season between Adirondack and Springfield, scoring 24 points (9-15-24) in 53 games.